Christmas Conspiracy. Robin Perini

out, we’re on our own.”

      PAULINA PEERED OUT the curtain and stared at the black SUV and the terrifying man with the patch over one eye. He hadn’t moved from in front of Katerina’s house. Why was he staying there? La familia was gone with the other man with the gun. So many scary people. She wouldn’t babysit in that house anymore. She was even afraid in her own house now. What if someone learned what she’d done?

      Paulina’s hands trembled and she twisted her shawl, unraveling the stitches. A chilling fear had gone through her when the big man warned her of danger and demanded she leave today. She still couldn’t get warm. Maybe she should go to her sister’s house. They wouldn’t follow her across the border. Would they?

      She hurried toward her bedroom to pack, but she’d only made it partway when the back door slammed open.

      Paulina trembled with fright.

      A huge man entered her living room, his face red with anger, blood staining his right shoulder.

      “Who are you? Please go. I have no money,” she lied.

      “You should. I paid you, but you failed me.”

      Paulina gasped. She recognized the voice. The phone call she hadn’t been able to ignore. “But I … I … did what you wanted. You said you would leave me alone.”

      “Well, they escaped. And someone has to pay.”

      “Please, don’t hurt me.” She glanced at the bloody shirt. “I’ll take care of your wound. I won’t tell anyone.”

      “Sorry, but I’ve been shot and the family got away. They will die, and you’re the only one who can tie me to them.”

      Paulina backed toward the window, and the giant smiled, his expression evil. He pulled a huge, serrated knife from a leather sheath wrapped around his leg. He slid his thumb along the shiny blade.

      Paulina gulped, her heart galloped, skipping beats. Her head swam and she swayed. “Please, no,” she whimpered. “I’ll be silent.”

      “Yes,” he said softly and raised the blade. “You will.”